Suwaibou Touray, the leader and Secretary General of People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and National Assembly Member for Wuli East, has called on the government of The Gambia to take the issue of unemployment seriously especially youth unemployment, low wages and decent working conditions.
Hon. Touray, the leader and Secretary General of PDOIS, had a message to the Gambian government that was shared on the PDOIS Facebook page. His remarks focused on bad governance, unemployment, and low wages.
He urged workers to use the day to push for addressing of unemployment, low wages, and social justice.
He emphasised that government and employers should uphold the rights of workers and ensure fair treatment, particularly for vulnerable workers. “Trade Unions to reflect and insist on bridging the inequality gap, through the enactment of labour laws, and more importantly, ensure that full implementation of the laws as it relates to labour rights,” he mentioned.
He commended the Gambian workers for their victories and unrelenting struggles against the dehumanizing conditions at the workplace. He noted that workers are encouraged to hold symposium on this day and discuss their achievements and challenges and come up with resolutions which should be presented to both the executive and legislature as well as the labour department for redress.
According to him, May Day celebration is a global holiday honouring workers’ rights and workers’ movements; it often features rallies and public holidays.
This very important day is also rooted in ancient traditions marking the return of spring but also honours the 19th century struggle for the eight-hour work day culminating into a symbol of workers solidarity, he recalled saying: “While we know that May Day was traditionally celebrated by dancing, and holding sports events as in the case of the Gambia, we should not forget the main objective of the day, like to reflect on the challenges confronting workers and engage in demonstrations and showing solidarity to each other.
“In this regard, the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism, PDOIS is today joining the workers in celebration and in solidarity with the Gambian workers of all stripes in particular, and international workers worldwide as they honour the achievements and rights of the labour movement.”
The PDOIS leader noted that the fight started a long time ago with the objective to attain an eight-hour work day which is attained in many parts of the world.
However, he expressed that workers should be reminded that this Day is not just meant to engage in fanfare such as sports and dancing only, but is meant to review and serve as a day of reflection and to make legitimate demands for their rights such as right of pensioners, workers’ safety, workers’ pay, workers’ insurance in case of accidents, compensation and the general fight against exploitation in workplace.
He mentioned that these demands for workers should not be divorced from the Women’s rights at workplace, such as right to sick leave, maternity leave, adequate or conducive environment at workplace, as well as provision of services for working mothers such as kindergartens to support working mothers.
Hon. Touray indicated that the demands should include provision of farm equipment for farmers and competitive prices of crops at farm gate, and also labour-saving devices for the women folk.
He further stated that the struggle should not sideline the broad fight for inclusion of the disabled persons to be employed and gained equal pay with peers doing the same work.
He mentioned that it is the right of workers to form Trade Unions so that they can gain strength and demand among other things, the improvement of working conditions through legislative reform in tandem with collective bargaining.
He called on all workers skilled and unskilled including farmers and domestic workers to form coalitions aiming at putting pressure on the National Assembly and the executive to promulgate laws in support of workers’ rights and general welfare and ensure the implementation of those laws.
